KITTENS FOUND IN BIRDS’ NEST
Cats Protection have rescued a nursing cat and her kittens found nesting in a tree, and being watched over by a tom cat.
When Cats Protection volunteers followed the mother of a newly-born litter believed to be at risk, they were shocked to find her three kittens nesting in an old bird’s nest, high up in a tree in Buckinghamshire. There were concerns that the kittens may fall out and
Your Cat July 2021 injure themselves.
The incredible rescue began when volunteers from Cats Protection’s Chiltern branch went to investigate reports of a welfare issue with a colony of cats on an industrial site in Amersham.
Welfare team member
Ruth Goller says: “When I got there, a lady came out to tell us she had been feeding a cat from the colony who had very recently given birth and she thought it was in need of our help.
“A newborn kitten, the same age as this litter, had been found dead on a lady’s doorstep, so our priority was to find the mum and remaining kittens as quickly as possible. We spent a week searching gardens, leafletting a huge area and asking residents to keep an eye out for where mum had hidden the kittens. We even set camera traps, but to no avail.
Ruth continues: “Then one morning, the mum showed up with a male who seemed bonded with her. I watched her eat and it was obvious that she recently had had kittens and was still feeding, but we had no idea where she had stowed them.
“The mother and tom were friendly. I stroked them, and we had confirmation from site owners and residents that they were part of the site colony. From that first encounter, it was also clear that the tom was injured and needed immediate veterinary attention.”
Having determined that the welfare of these cats was at risk, Ruth knew she must act fast.
When the male disappeared around a corner and the mother called for him, it was clear they were a bonded pair. Hoping that they would lead her to the kittens, Ruth watched as they leapt up a tree at the back of the site, and was shocked to find the mum and kittens in a nest in the tree.
Humane traps were set and once the mother cat was caught, the week-old kittens were safely retrieved.
Mum and kittens were checked over and found to be in good health. They were later handed over to Cats Protection fosterer Sue Buck.
However, once caught, it was clear the tom needed veterinary attention.
Ruth says: “He was in a bad way, limping really badly and walking only on three legs.
I rang our vet who agreed to assess his injury. It turned out he had an abscess on his foot so he stayed in for a few days.”
Thankfully, the abscess healed well and, after being neutered, the male — since named Willet by his rescuers — has been reunited with the mum Oriole, and her kittens Bran, Jay, and Lori.The cats were all named after birds.
Sue says: “Willet is a good ‘dad’ to the kittens, washing and playing with them — although he does get a bit annoyed when they mistake him for mum at feeding time.
“They’re a lovely little family. Willet behaves like a doting dad to the kittens, even grooming them. Oriole and Willet are clearly bonded, and we would love to think we could rehome the mum and male cat together.”
The kittens are still young and the branch is not taking enquiries about their adoption yet.
Willet is a good 'dad' to the
kittens...